Jaw construction for vises



April 10, 1945.

c. B. cRoss-ET AL JAW CONSTRUCTION FOR VISES Filed Nov. 6, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 10, 1945. c. B. cRoss ET AL JAW CONSTRUCTION FOR VISES Filed Nov. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 2m? @17 1, ATTORN EYS April c. B. CROSS ET AL 2,373,384

JAW CONSTRUCTION FOR VISES Filed Nov. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zak/w VII/IIII/III/II. IIIIIIII/II/IIIII/llY/I/IIII/flI/IIIIIQ"1 INVENTORS ATToRNEY Patented Apr. 10, 1945 JAW CONSTRUCTION FOR VISES Cedric B. Cross, Poultney, Vt, and Drayton C. Zipp, Whitehall, N. Y., assignors to Production Devices Incorporated, Whitehall, N. Y., a corporation of Connecticut Application November 6, 1943, Serial No. 509,210

2 Claims.

This invention relates to vises and particularly to pressure operated Vises, wherein means are provided to firmly seat the work piece in the vise.

In certain milling operations it is imperative that the work piece clamped between the vise jaws be held tightly down to a true surface, such as the bed of a vise, or on two parallels set on the vise bed. The Work is then said to be bottomed. Such bottoming is customarily accomplished in a screw vise by tightening the vise and then tapping the work with a hammer until the work is properly seated or bottomed. This takes time, and on production runs the percentage of spoilage due to improper seating of work is often high. In the case of automatic vises hand bottoming cannot be easily accomplished.

A principal object of this invention is to pro- I vide vises equipped with automatic self bottoming means whereby when the vise jaws are tightened there will be a downward motion of the gripping jaw faces at the instant of gripping which will move the work piece clamped between the faces firmly down toward the vise bed and properly bottom it.

Another object of this invention is to provide self bottoming means of simple construction that may be quickly and easily applied to existing vises either of the automatic or manual type.

Still another object of the invention is to provide structure having a minimum number of working parts that may be quickly and simply assembled with resultant economies both in the speed and cost of production.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, which shows, merely for the purposes of illustrative disclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that changes may be made in practice within the scope of the appended claims without digressing from the inventive idea.

In the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a vise equipped with the novel self-bottoming means of this invention, portions thereof bein sectionalized to illustrate details of construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1, a portion thereof also being sectionalized to show structural details;

members 2| Fig. 3 is an end elevation viewed from the left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation to illustrate details of internal construction of the vise;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a similar vise equipped with a modified form of novel self-bottoming means of this invention, portions thereof being sectionalized to illustrate structural details; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, Ill denotes a base or frame for the vise having a bed, rail or keyway H along its top. This bed, rail or keyway ll carries a movable jaw casting or member I2 and an adjustable fixed jaw casting or member l3.

In the embodiment shown, the movable jaw member 12 'is hollow and rests on the rail or bed II. It has downwardly depending, spaced apart flanges l5 which are slidable respectively along the oppositely-extending flanges N5 of the bed or rail ll and serve to guide the member l2 in its movement over the rail H. Suitable guide members or gibs, H, are supported along the bottom edges of the respective flanges l5 by the tie down bolts l8. These members I! extend under the rail flanges it so that the bolts l8 may be tightened sufliciently to guide the member l2 precisely on the rail H. Any other suitable means may be provided to guidedly and slidably support member l2 on the bed II.

The adjustable fixed jaw casting or member 13 has substantially similar construction. It, too, is hollow and rests on the rail or bed H and has spaced apart flanges 20 (only one being shown), identicalwith flanges l5, and gibs or clamping (only one being shown) identical with gibs or clamping members IT. The gibs 2| are supported along the bottom edges of the respective flanges 20 by the down bolts 23 identical with bolts IS. The clamping members 2| extend under the oppositely located rail flanges It so that bolts 23 may be tightened to clamp member l3 in a fixed position on rail I l. Any other suitable means may be provided to guidedly and slidably support the member !3 on the rail H and to clamp it in a fixed position thereon.

Means are provided for adjusting the position of the adjustable fixed member l3. To this end a member 25 is provided. This member has a threaded eye portion 26 extending into the space 21 of the hollow member l3, and a portion 28 secured to the frame ID by a nut 29. An adjusting'bolt 30 extends through a wall of the member l3 and threadedly engages the eye portion 26. This adjustment bolt is suitably headed at 30a and is adapted to abut an end wall of the casting l3. The position of the member 13 is thus adjustable along rail H by manipulation of the bolt 30 when the gibs or clamping members 2i are loose. Any other suitable means for adjusting the position of the adjustable stationary member [3 on the rail H may be provided.

The movable member 12 is slidable reciprocally on the rail or bed I l. Suitable means for effecting reciprocation of said member I2 is provided. It may, for example, be that described in the co-pending application of Cedric B. Cross, Serial No. 441,877, filed May 5, 1942.

This means comprises a suitable pressure cylinder 35 of standard type adapted to be actuated preferably by air pressure. This cylinder is suitably supported in a recess Ina of the frame Ill below the rail or bed I I. The piston rod 36 of this cylinder is movable outwardly of the end of the cylinder 35 by pressure of air delivered to the latter through an inlet coupling 31 by a suitable conduit (not shown), controlled by any convenient valve (not shown).

V The force transmitting means between the piston rod 36 and the movable member t2 may be of any suitable kind. In the embodiment shown, it comprises the pivoted member 42 carrying a roller 43 which is maintained in engagement with the end of plunger 36 by a suitable spring 44. A second roller 45 also carried by the pivoted member 42 engages a cam surface 46 on a leverlike pivoted member 41. The cam surface 46 is urged'against roller 45 by a suitable spring 48. An arm 49 of the member 4'! is connected by linkage 50 to a transverse member carried by the movable member l2. Thus when the piston rod 36 moves outwardly, the movable jaw casting or member I 2 is moved toward the adjustable stationary member l3 through the interaction of theparts just described in the manner indicated in detail in the aforementioned application of Cedric B. Cross. Upon release of air pressure in the cylinder 35 the piston rod 36 can move inwardly and the spring 48 operates the member 41 to retract the movable member I? to its open position.

The particular means of effecting reciprocation of the movable member I2 with respect to the adjustable stationary member 13 may be of any suitable kind. That shown is only illustrative.

Self bottoming jaws 6D and 60a are adapted to be used with the movable member l2, and the adjustable stationary member '3. Since the jaws are identical only one need be described.

Jaw 60a consists of a frame shaped and admeasured to fit slidably about-the periphery of adjustable fixed member IS. The transverse leg Sla oi the jaw has a jaw face Fa. The side members 62a of the jaw 60a extend parallel with the sides of said member l3. The side members We each have a longitudinally extending slot 63a. These slots 63a receive supporting pins 64a that are carried suitably by the member l3. These pins and slots serve to support the'jaw 60apivotally and slidably.

An inclined slot 65a is provided in each side member 'BZa. Pins 66a fixed in the jaw casting l3 and extending laterally therefrom engage respectively in said slots. The pins 64a and 66a in cooperation with the slots 63a and 65a serve to pivotally, slidably and guidedly support the frame 60a relative to the member l3.

Each side member 62a has a receiving recess Bid in alignment with its slot 63a. These recesses each receive a compression spring 68a. The compression springs 58a engage the respective pins 64a. These springs 68a serve to urge the jaw 60a into the position shown at Fig. 2 at which time the pins 65a lie at the bottom of their inclined slots 65a. The jaw or frame 60a then is tilted or at an inclination with the bed II and the inner face of its transverse leg Sla is spaced from the member l3. This is the free position of the jaw 6011. A cross piece 69a is joined to the rear ends of the side member 62a. of the frame by suitable bolts Illa or the like.

The jaws 60 is fitted onthe movable member l2 in the same way. The reference characters in Figures 1-4 corresponding to ones having subscripts 0. denote parts of identical construction. The jaw 50 is shown in Fig, 2 in the position it would occupy when the movable member ll! has been moved into clamping position toward the adjustable fixed member l3. In actual practice, before any clamping action, the jaw 60 occupies a free position on the member l2 and with respect to its pins 64 and 66 and slot 55 which is like that shown for jaw 60a. At that time the pin 55 lies at the bottom of slot '65 and the jaw frame Bil in its free position is then at an inclination with the horizontal or with bed ll. Fig. 4 shows both jaws 6B and 60a in their free positions.

In operation, both'jaws 60 and 60a are in their free positions. The adjustable member [3 is suitably adjusted on the bed It and fixed thereto by clamping of gibs 2| to accommodate a work piece of any particular type. The work piece W (Fig. 4) is then inserted between the faces F and Foot the jaws 60 and 60a. The clamping member 12 is then moved in clamping direction toward member 13 by introduction of air into cylinder 35. This movement brings the faces F and Fa of the jaws 60, a into gripping contact with the bccurred. Then as the member 12 continues tov move toward the member l3, the jaws 6B and 60a move horizontally relative to the respective jaw castings, such horizontal movement being resisted by the springs 68 and 68a so that the faces F, Fa grip the work piece firmly between them. At the same time and during such movement, the pins 66, 66a engaging in the inclined slots65, 65a, cause the respective jaws 60, 60a torotate or swing downwardly about pins 64, 64a as pivots. The resisting action of springs 68 and 68a has, however, caused thefaces F, Fa to grip the work piece W firmly before the downward swinging action occurs. Thus a downward force will be exerted by the faces F, Fa of thejaws 60, 6011 on the work piece. Stiffer springs 68, 58a, will result in a larger downward force on the work piece as this downward force is due entirely to the friction between the work piece and the jaw faces F, Fa as they move downwardly.

The downward motion of the jaw faces F, Fa continues until the resisting force of the springs 68, 68c. plus the friction between the jaw faces F, Fa and the work piece, and between the pins 66, 66a and inclined slots 65, 65a; equals substantially the available force exerted by the clamping member [2, or until the jaws 60, filla have swung to the position of jaw 60 in Fig. 2 at which time they are parallel with, and in contact with, the bed ll of the vise.

In either event, the movement of the jaws 88,-

Bfla as just described and the downward forces exerted on the work piece, will move the latter down firmly against the vise bed II. This will occur even if the member I2 should have a tendency to lift in relation to the vise bed I I because of a loose fit such as might occur when the parts become worn. The jaws thus constitute automatic self-bottoming means for work pieces in a A modified form of such bottoming jaws to be applied to the movable and adjustable members is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In these figures the vise I is substantially identical with that of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive; This vise has a'movable member I2 substantially identical with member I2 of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and an adjustable fixed member I3 substantially identical with adjustable fixed or stationary member I3. These members I2 and I3 are supported from the base III in the same manner as members I2 and I3 and are operated in the same way. The members I2 and I3 are shown in a reversed position from that of members I2 and I3 of Figs. 1 to 4, the vise of Figs. 5 and 6 having been rotated through 180 relative to the vise of Figs. 1-4.

Each of the members I2, I3 is provided with vertically extending bores 80 which receive springs 8| for a purpose to be presently described. Each of the members I2 and I3 has a recess or groove 83 provided with a sloping wall 84. Each groove '83 extends transversely substantially the width of the respective members I2 or I 3'. The walls 84 of the respective grooves slope in opposite directions.

Self-bottoming jaws 88, 86a are adapted to be used with the movable member I2 and adjustable fixed member I3. Since these jaws are identical only one need be described. 1

Jaw 86 consists of a frame shaped and ad measured to fit slidably about the periphery of the movable member I2. The transverse leg 81 of this jaw has a jaw face F'." This leg 8'! has a transverse groove 88 extending parallel with the groove 83 and a wall 89 of this groove is parallel with the sloping wall 84.

The side members 90 of the jaw 86 each has a longitudinally extending slot 9!. These slots receive supporting pins 92 that are carried suitably and fixedly by the member I2. Each member 90 has a flange 93 that carries an adjustable abutment member or set screw 94. The latter are adapted to engage the, corresponding supporting pins 92 and thereby to limit horizontal movement of the member 90 in one direction.

A suitable roller 95 is positioned in the recesses 83 and 88. A suitable cover plate 96 overlies the jaw 86 being attached to the latter in any suitable way. The springs 8i carried in the member I2 abut the cover plate 95. A suitable cross piece 9'! is joined to the rear ends of the side members 90 by suitable bolts 98 or the like.

The jaw 86a. is fitted on the stationary mem ber I3 in the same way. The reference characters in Figs. 5 and 6 corresponding to ones having subscript a denote parts of identical construction.

The jaw 86 is shown in Fig. 6 in the position it would, normally occupy. while the jaw 86a is shown in a position it would occupy when bottoming of the work piece has been effected. In actual practice both jaws 86 and 86a are initially in freepositions resembling that of jaw 86. At this time the jaws are tilted with respect tn the bed II' and the jaw faces F and Fe are held up andslightly toward each other by the action of the springs 8| which press against the covers 86, 96a. The forward motion of the jaw faces F'- and Fa,' induced by springs 8i, toward each other, is limited by the set screws 94 which engage the pins 92. The limited forward motion also limits the upward motion of the jaw faces F and Fa because of the interaction between the respective rollers 95, 95a and the respective sloping Walls 84, 89 and 84, 890.

When a work piece is clamped between the jaw faces F and Fa, these jaw faces are forced back in relation to the members I2 and I3 and this backward motion forces the jaw faces F and Fa to rotate downwardly because of the guiding or oamming action between the said sloping walls 84, 89 and 84, 89a and respective rollers 95 and 95a.

The downward rotary motion of the jaw faces F and Fa continues until the-bottom edges of the jaw faces F and Fa' engage the vise bed I I, i. e., the position of jaw 86a in Fig. 6, or until frictional forces between the work iece and the jaw faces F and Fa equal the downward moment on the inclined surfaces 89, 8911.. Such downward motion of the jaw faces forces the clamped work piece firmly down toward the vise head I I, i. e., firmly bottoms the said work piece.

An advantage of the modified form is that the jaws 86, 88a instead of sliding on pins like pins 65, 65a, roll on the rollers 95, 95a. Since there is less friction, the surfaces 84, 89 and 89a can be steeper than. the inclined slots 65, 65a. As a result there is less lateral motion of the jaws 86, 86a with respect to the members I2, I3 than there is of the jaws 60, GM with respect to the members I2, I3. The smaller lateral motion is an advantage.

As with the first modification, the strength of the springs 8I'wi11' determine the extent of downward force available at jaw faces F and Fa for bottoming action on the work piece.

Another advantage of the modified form is that it is somewhat simpler to construct than the first named form.

It must be understood that the principles and jaw structure disclosed are adaptable either for pressure operated vises or manually operated vises. Likewise no limitation is placed on the size or shape of the members to which the jaws are applied. Furthermore, while specific arrangements have been described, it is to be understood that variations in structural detail within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A vise comprising a bed, a stationary member on said bed, a second member movable toward said stationary member for effecting clamping of a work piece in said vise, a jaw carried by said stationary member, pin and slot means for supporting said jaw pivotally and slidably on said stationary member, pin and inclined slot means for guiding the pivoted and slidable motion of said jaw, a second jaw carried by said movable member, pin and slot means for supporting said second jaw pivotally and slidably on said movable member, pin and inclined slot means for guiding the pivoted and slidable motion of said second jaw, spring means resisting relative motion of each jaw with respect to the member on which it is supported and tending with the respective pinand inclined slot means to maintain the jaws in lifted position relative to saidbed, said jaws being positioned on the rerespective members to grip said work piece prior to completion of clamping movement of said movable member, and both said pin and inclined slot means, serving when said work piece is gripped between said jaws to urge said jaws toward said bed against the resisting action of said spring means, the latter then causing frictional engagement between said jaws and said work piece whereby said work piece is then moved with said jaws toward said bed and bottomed.

2. A vise comprising a bed, a pair of members at least one of which is movable toward the other for efiecting clamping of a work piece in said vise, a jaw carried by one of said members, pin and slot means for supporting said jaw pivotally and slidably on said one of said members, roller means and inclined surfaces in conjunction with said jaw and said one of said members for guiding the pivoted and slidable motion of said jaw, a second jaw carried by the second of said members, pin and slot means for supporting said sec- 0nd jaw pivotally and slidably on the second of said members, roller means and inclined surfaces in conjunction with said second jaw and said second member, spring means resisting relative movement of each jaw with respect to the member on which it is supported and tending with the respective roller means and inclined surfaces to maintain the jaws in tilted position relative to said bed, said jaws being positioned on their supporting members to grip said work piece prior to completion of clamping movement of the movable of said members and both said roller means;

and inclined surfaces serving when said work piece is gripped between the jaws to urge the latter toward said bed against the resisting action of the spring means, the latter then causing frictional engagement between the jaws and work piece, whereby the said work piece is moved with said jaws toward said bed and bottomed.

CEDRIC B. CROSS. DRAYTON C. ZIPP. 

